Discharging Yourself From Hospital.

[Dizmo]

How easy is it to discharge yourself from hospital? Apart from when being sanctioned is there any other way a doctor or mental health professional could legally stop me from leaving?

He's told the crisis team that I've said "If I go home, I'll harm myself". That is a complete lie; I said "Staying here is seriously affecting my mental health and I don't feel stable being here". He also said I was aggressive which is untrue - I was merely vocalising how I felt inside - nothing was directed at him or any other member of staff.

Any help would be grateful, thanks.

[Dizmo]

I agree with Sqad. Being in A&E or Theatre is more important than seeing someone who is under the watchful eye of nurses and other medical staff. I was on the SAU ward for 12 hours without seeing a doctor and that was purely because he was stuck in theatre trying to save someone's life. I fully understand how hard it is for doctors, not just in hospitals either.

[ganesh]

Or dare I suggest, a senior nurse could 'let you out'. Bloody red-tape, the main problem with the nhs!

[DaisyNonna]

Had an operation on a Thursday, only day scheduled for that particular operation. Was told in advance I would be discharged two days later if all had gone well, that is, on the Saturday. On the Saturday I was told there were no consultant rounds (and never had been) until Monday.
They could have had my bed with pleasure.

[ganesh]

Exactly daisy, and your story is typical I'm afraid.

[Dizmo]

I moan and I get upset but I never actually take any rage out on them. I hate it when nurses apologise for not being there or for not being able to help - it isn't their fault. I've said it to them and I'll say it here; I might be angry and I might be annoyed but as soon as they have given me the drugs I should of had 3 hours previous, I hold no remorse. They like me as a patient. Well no more for me thank you! I'm not going in again.

[Sqad]

\\\\\On the Saturday I was told there were no consultant rounds (a\\\\\

So what?

You could have been discharged by a Junior Doctor without the formality of a ward round.

[ganesh]

They are so into their Hierarchy , they probably wouldn't allow it.

[DaisyNonna]

So perhaps somebody should have told me that?

[Dizmo]

DaisyNonna: They don't have time. Unless you start moaning they won't start suggesting that a junior doctor can see you. Don't forget that there might be 50 other people in your position, some of them wanting to go home when actually they are not fit for discharge - the junior doctors priority is to see them first. I'm not suggesting you go 'handbags at dawn'.

[Dizmo]

Some poor guy had had a stroke and found it OK to start calling people every name under the sun. On top of that he hit a male nurse and scratched a nurse in the face. He needed to see someone more than me which is why he was addressed first. The guy opposite said he was going to sleep in the toilet because then he'd get some sleep. What can the nursing staff do in that instance? nothing apart from apologise to everyone on the ward. He was a racist who wasn't afraid of telling staff to f'off, the use of the C word was used a lot also.